Written question WQ92688
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to grow the hedgehog population in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
The Welsh Government has a range of initiatives to help grow the hedgehog population in Wales.
Woodlands are the favoured habitat for hedgehog breeding. Welsh Government has several tree planting initiatives that will increase habitat for hedgehogs as the new trees mature.
The Nature Networks Fund can be applied to by projects to enhance habitat networks; habitat networks can be of value to hedgehogs as they can provide corridors for populations to disperse leading to enhanced genetic mixing, thus strengthening the hedgehog genome across wider areas.
The Natur Am Byth and other funds provided by Welsh Government and administered by NRW, provides funds to local nature initiatives. Grassroots and community organisations can apply for these funds for work that can include benefits to breeding habitat for hedgehogs.
Everyone in Wales can contribute to the response to the Nature Emergency and Welsh Government encourages everyone to do so, even if it is something as simple as stopping pets from disturbing wildlife when out walking and not using pesticides harmful to hedgehogs.